Stigma and discrimination

People with mental health problems say that the social stigma attached to mental ill health and the discrimination they experience can make their difficulties worse and make it harder to recover.

Mental illness is common. It affects thousands of people, their friends, families, work colleagues and society in general.

• One in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.
• Around one in ten children experience mental health problems. 
• Depression affects around one in 12 of the whole population.
• 450 million people world-wide have a mental health problem.

People with mental health problems experience prejudice and discrimination in almost every aspect of their lives. Many have said the stigma of mental ill health is more disabling than the illness itself.

Research has shown that people with mental health problems are pre-judged, find it hard to get jobs and sustain friendships and relationships. Research has also shown that ignorance, fear, and stereotypes presented in the newspapers, on the TV and at the cinema, all contribute to negative attitudes towards mental ill health. Most people have little knowledge about mental illness and their opinions are often factually incorrect.

In a survey of about 500 people given a diagnosis of schizophrenia and carried out by the independent 'Inquiry into the "Schizophrenia" label' in 2012, more than 80 per cent said the diagnosis made life more difficult. 88 per cent said they thought the public associated 'schizophrenia' with violence.

Studies have illustrated that prejudice and discrimination against people with a diagnosis of mental illness are common all over the world.

For example, more than 700 people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in 27 different countries were interviewed as part of INDIGO (International Study of Discrimination and Stigma Outcomes), a research study carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry (now Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience), King's College London, in collaboration with the World Psychiatric Association’s (WPA) Global Programme Against Stigma and Discrimination because of Schizophrenia. 72 per cent of those interviewed said they felt the need to conceal their diagnosis. 64 per cent said the anticipation of discrimination stopped them applying for work, training or education programmes and 55 per cent said it stopped them looking for a close relationship.

In addition, people who have experienced psychosis may feel discriminated against because of mental health law, which allows compulsory treatment. Side effects of antipsychotic medication – such as involuntary movements – may also make them feel set apart and seen as ‘different’.

Language used to describe mental ill health can contribute to discriminatory attitudes. Research carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry (now Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience) and the charity Rethink Mental Illness asked nearly 500 secondary school students to describe people with mental health problems. They came up with 250 different words and phrases – most of them were derogatory and used as insults in the playground.